Micro-Electro-Analytical Sensor for Sensitive, Selective and Rapid Monitoring of Hydrazine in the Presence of Ammonia

Hydrazine, a volatile and flammable colorless liquid, is classified as a carcinogen by the US Environmental Protection Agency. It can cause chromosome aberrations negatively affecting the lungs, liver, spleen, thyroid gland, and central nervous system. NASA’s existing hydrazine measurement technology is sensitive, selective and reliable, but it takes 15 minutes to collect and analyze a sample. For future missions beyond Low Earth Orbit, NASA will need a measurement system that responds within 30 seconds without any performance limitations such as lack of specificity and maintenance challenges. To fulfill NASA needs, InnoSense LLC (ISL) will continue developing a space-worthy micro-electro-analytical sensor for rapid monitoring of hydrazine (Micro-Zin™) in the presence of ammonia in spacecraft cabin atmosphere (SCA) for long-term performance without maintenance. In Phase I, ISL developed a compact Micro-Zin working model and demonstrated its performance detecting hydrazine with high sensitivity and selectivity over ammonia, fast response time (T90 >30 seconds), reversibility, cyclability and reproducibility under NASA-required SCA conditions, meeting or exceeding performance targets. In Phase II, ISL will focus on optimization and scale-up of Micro-Zin following fine-tuning of performance and analyzing life expectancy by rigorous testing. Complex modeling, package design, and construction of a Micro-Zin prototype for SCA-level testing are also planned. At the end of Phase II, a compact, battery-operated, handheld Micro-Zin prototype will be delivered to NASA for further evaluation.